Chapter 9

'Musical' Numbers Page Element

The Rules: In a musical, include the
Musical Numbers Page after the Cast Page. The exact format varies, but think two
columns: in the left column list the titles of the songs, and the right column,
left indented approximately 3", list the performing characters. Divide the show
into acts.

Below is the Musical Numbers Page for Day One, for which I wrote
book and lyrics, a commission from the Choate
Rosemary Hall Summer Arts Conservatory, where I served as
playwright-in-residence.

Act/Scene Heading Element

Typically, Act/Scene Headings are very simple. Act numbers are traditionally
written in Roman numerals, while Scene numbers are written as Arabic numbers.
Text of both Act and Scene are written in all CAPS and centered on the line. In
the past playwrights used to underline these headings, but boldface type stands
out better.

The Rules: If you're writing a ten-minute
or one-act play with only one scene, you don't need to use Act/Scene headings.
But if you're writing a one-act play with multiple scenes or a multi-act play,
you need to give your reader some road signs.

Look at it below:

ACT ISCENE 1

If a play is a one-act, cut the Act Heading (obviously) and just use the
Scene Heading. Now, you're ready for the...